the redshirt freshman QB from Oregon, Mario-Ta maybe the best prospect I've ever seen at his position. stay posted.

Not sure Kirby is accurate (benefit of doubt) but he just did a game day promo (College Game Day in Eugene today) that Mariota is the #1 rated passer in the country. More importantly undefeated & in the National BSC discussion assuming they win out. Only a freshman, like Manzel these two young men are both dynamic leaders. I give the edge to Mariota because he is developing plus arm strength & is still growing @ 6'4". Both have 4.4 speed. Father was born in American Samoa, Mother is of German decent & was a strong swimmer who declined scholarship offers to pursue other interests, she revealed Marcus told his parents back in grade school, “He wrote,” says his mother Alana, “‘I’m going to go to school at Saint Louis and play football, then move to USC, then the NFL, and I’ll marry a soccer player.’” which explains his admiration/respect for both his parents which exposes a plus character check mark.

Quote:

Kelly had been tipped off by Oregon offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mark Helfrich, who’d attended a Saint Louis practice during Mariota’s junior season. It was a particularly breezy day as the wind whistled down Saint Louis Heights and, as Toa puts it, “Marcus was throwing dimes through the wind.”

That earned Mariota an invitation to a Ducks football camp in Eugene. Johnny Manziel, the No. 8-rated prep quarterback in the country according to scouting services, attended the same camp. Despite Mariota’s impressive performance at the camp, Kelly offered Manziel a scholarship on the spot. Mariota took it hard.

“I think his feelings were hurt,” says his mom. “He didn’t say a word on the flight back home.”

And you couldn’t blame him for being reminded of the three high school seasons he’d endured on the bench.

Funny thing, though. When Kelly offered Mariota a scholarship, Manziel accepted an offer from Texas A&M, where this season he’s leading the Southeastern Conference in passing yards as a redshirt freshman.

This all being said, I would love to see a National Championship game between Oregon & Texas A&M. If not this year then next. Stay tuned